TammyDTM

217.0 Thanks!

I am fortunate that mine is a Center of Excellence. I knew beforehand that it was a "team" of professionals. I paid a one-time program fee before surgery and I will never have a co-pay or out-of-pocket fee for follow-up visits. I saw my surgeon twice before surgery and twice after surgery. Subsequent visits were with her PA. I also see the nutritionist at each visit. So, it goes, nurse, PA, nutritionist (and once with the exercise specialist for assessment). I am happy with my surgical team. They are very professional and knowledgeable and they are keeping me on track.

If eating is making you sick, then yes, you should stick with fluids, including Protein. Try hard to get in at least 60 ounces of protein and 64 ounces of Water. I hope that your personal situation improves really soon.

@@Lexuskela You said, "It's just hard because my Protein shake gives me great protein, at 26 grams in 1 scoop but I can't finish a full shake in 1 sitting. So I never finish a full shake ever. I get so full." It doesn't matter how long it takes you to finish a shake. You drink it until it's gone. Most plans recommend at least 60 ounces of protein daily.

For me, it is easier after surgery because as the weight comes off I am gaining energy. I have energy to workout on a regular basis and stick with it. As the weight comes off I am gaining determination. I am determined to follow the plan and use this blessing I have been given to the best of my ability. As the weight comes off I am gaining confidence. I feel really good and I look good. I am confident that I will not turn back to my old ways because I am loving how I am feeling now. I will not let anything take this feeling away from me. It is easier after surgery, for me, because I just know that this is a blessing that I have been given and I will not waste it. I am developing healthy habits that are now routine for me. If you do something over and and over again it becomes habit. Eat right and exercise every day. Habit. Easy. Habit.

You will need to make sure to get in at least 64 ounces of Water every day for the rest of your life. That is something that will get easier with time, however, you will still need to count. Congrats to you Babbs on making it to your goal!

I'm with you Elode! Strut your stuff girl! Don't you just feel "free" now? You can wear whatever you want to wear. Not saying you couldn't before, but now do it with confidence.

@@Whitney1968 Hi Whitney, Are you home from the hospital? What was your 2nd surgery for? Do you visit with a nutritionist? You should have some guidance from your surgery team as to what your diet should consist of at stages of your recovery. I wouldn't think that ramen noodles nor Cheerios would be foods appropriate at this time. You should consult your nutritionist for guidance.

When I read your original post I thought, "that sounds like what would happen to me every time I would try to exercise on a regular basis" and then I kept reading all of the posts and came to this one and said, 'ah', it is the same thing." I, too, have lupus. It sucks to have your body betray you every time you try to do right by it! I know what you are going through. Let me tell you though, it will get better after you have surgery and the weight starts coming off. I have been on a very low maintenance dose of prednisone since surgery and it has not affected my weight loss at all. I would suggest that you just listen to your body and rest it as it needs. If you can't exercise for a few days in a row, or even for a few weeks in a row (you know how it is), don't get down on yourself. It is your disease. You understand that. It's frustrating, I know, but what can you do? Just eat right and like you did previously, just do the hand weights while sitting. Like my mom always says, "it beats a blank!" Bless you!

@@TXTinana It's only just begun! Have fun and enjoy your journey!

With the weight loss and being able to get more structured exercise on a daily basis, I have seen improvement in my symptoms. I also have lupus. I don't have as many down days as I did prior to surgery. I am feeling very hopeful that the flare-ups will stay away.

Heads look bigger because of more narrow shoulders and skinnier necks!

Soap and Water only. With a good rinse.

@@stephh -- 217.0 today! Thanks!

You will see the grocery store with amazement and excitement now! Congratulations on your "baggy pants"!!!

I'm hoping to be able to tell you later this week!

Congratulations to you, Jessicacherry3 !!! Glad you are happy and doing well!

Glad to hear you are feeling well vgsmommy!

I eat right and exercise daily. Five to six days a week I get in over 60 minutes of aerobic exercise. The other day my husband surprised me by asking me "what's your hurry?" I didn't realize that my new healthy way of living looked like a "rush" to him. After thinking about it for a day or two I came to the conclusion that I am rushing. I am anxious. Extremely anxious. I have been overweight and unhealthy for over 30 years. I have been blessed with this new tool that is giving me my life back. I want to use it as much and as efficiently as I can. That being said, I use this tool by taking care of myself. I feed my body with nutrients to keep it energized and to keep my brain alert and functioning properly. I exercise my body to keep it running efficiently so that it will carry me where I need to go. Yes, we got this surgery to "lose weight," however, as we go along on our journeys we come to the realization that it is so much more than that if we are smart about it. It is an opportunity. An opportunity to finally know our true selves. To come out from hiding behind the fat and show our worth to ourselves and to the world. Where we were afraid in the past, now we are brave. You need to be brave and make smart decisions for yourself. Don't let someone else put a price on you. Know your worth and be confident enough in yourself to do what is right for yourself.

Donate your clothes and don't look back!

It's the inches. While you were losing the weight, the inches had not "shifted" yet. I lost 11 pounds last month with a loss of 3 inches in my bust, 1 in my arms and 2 in my hips. All in one month! So, like I said, it's not the pounds, it's the inches.

What a transformation! Congratulations! Isn't shopping so much more fun!

I found out that I was burning a lot more calories with exercise than I thought after I got my Fitbit Charge HR. After I compensated with extra Protein and Water the weight loss picked up the pace. If you don't sweat when you exercise, you may want to find a workout that will get you drenched. I have also noticed that the more I sweat, the bigger the loss. Also, the longer you stay at your peak heart rate while exercising the more calories you burn. Hope something here helps.

I weigh every morning and record it on the calendar in my bathroom. It keeps me motivated and determined to keep doing what is right so that I will reach my goal.

I keep beef sticks, babybel cheese, fresh fruit and Fage yogurt on hand for snacks.